With the upcoming NCAA Regional Tournament just around the corner, the NIU wrestling squad can’t lose sight of the matches at hand.

The Huskies travel to Normal, Ill. Thursday to battle Illinois State at 7:30 p.m., and then return home to host 12th-ranked Purdue Friday.

Friday’s meet will take place at 7:30 p.m. at the Chick Evans Field House.

Head coach Ed Vatch expects to see two good outings from his squad, especially after NIU’s two-week layoff.

“I plan to see guys like (Jim) Kossakowski and (T.C.) Dantzler really fighting hard this weekend,” Vatch said. “All the guys are looking forward to getting back on the mat.”

The Huskies will forfeit the 118-pound and 126-pound matches both nights due to a player change for the regionals.

“Giving up the first 12 points to these teams doesn’t leave us with much to hope for,” Vatch said. “But against ISU, it might not hurt us as much.”

Vatch hopes that a good outing against Purdue will bring better rankings for the tournament.

“Purdue’s got some guys who are nationally ranked. If my guys can knock them off, it puts a big feather in our cap.”

NIU‘s Mark Kuehl could earn a possible No. 2 seed in the regionals by winning both of his matches.

Although losing one or both matches wouldn’t help, coach Vatch is confident that Kuehl will still have a strong chance.

“The team is really starting to be supportive of one another now that the tournament is so close,” Vatch said. “They realize that everyone has a chance when the regional tourney rolls around.

“It doesn’t matter if you finish the regular season with an 0-9 record or a 9-0 record. You could still get in (the tournament),” Vatch added.

Vatch hopes to see a strong turnout Friday night when NIU will honor its senior wrestlers before its last home meet.